ERIC Number: EJ969880
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-Aug
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0009-398X
EISSN: N/A
Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents (SAS-A): Measuring Social Anxiety among Finnish Adolescents
Ranta, Klaus; Junttila, Niina; Laakkonen, Eero; Uhmavaara, Anni; La Greca, Annette M.; Niemi, Paivi M.
Child Psychiatry and Human Development, v43 n4 p574-591 Aug 2012
The aim of this study was to investigate symptoms of social anxiety and the psychometric properties of the "Social Anxiety Scale for Adolescents" (SAS-A) among Finnish adolescents, 13-16 years of age. Study 1 (n = 867) examined the distribution of SAS-A scores according to gender and age, and the internal consistency and factor structure of the SAS-A. In a subsample (n = 563; Study 2) concurrent and discriminant validity of the SAS-A were examined relative to the Social Phobia Inventory and the Beck Depression Inventory. Test-retest stability was examined over a 30-month period by repeated measures every 6 months in another subsample (n = 377; Study 3). Results mostly revealed no gender differences in social anxiety, except that boys reported more general social avoidance and distress than girls. Older adolescents (14-16-year-olds) reported higher social anxiety than younger adolescents (12-13-year-olds). Internal consistency for the SAS-A was acceptable for both genders and for all three SAS-A subscales. Confirmatory factor analysis replicated the original 18-item three-factor structure of the SAS-A, accounting for 61% of the variance between items. Evidence for concurrent and discriminant validity was found. Test-retest stability over 6 months was satisfactory. Results support the reliability and validity of the Finnish adaptation of the SAS-A, and further indicate that gender differences in adolescents' social anxiety may vary across Western countries.
Descriptors: Evidence, Anxiety Disorders, Test Validity, Factor Structure, Adolescents, Measures (Individuals), Factor Analysis, Psychometrics, Gender Differences, Depression (Psychology), Foreign Countries, Age Differences, Evaluation Methods, Validity, Comparative Analysis
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools; Junior High Schools; Middle Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Finland
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Beck Depression Inventory
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A